A national study examining improved traceability systems for plant produce is being led by Western Australia’s Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD).
Chief Plant Biosecurity Officer at DPIRD, Sonya Broughton said traceability was becoming increasingly important in managing biosecurity, proving the authenticity of food origins, and in promoting food safety.
“There are a lot of systems that exist already throughout Australia and internationally. We will be scanning both locally and globally to look at what has been developed,” Dr Broughton said.
“Types of traceability systems that are used include block-chain, the use of Property Identification Codes, and stickers with details of the property of origin.”
She said the project had received $155,000 of funding under the Australian Government’s Traceability Grants Program, which support projects that will enhance agricultural supply-chain traceability systems.
“In collaboration with Plant Health Australia, we will be working with industry to prepare an inventory of the existing management of plant produce across supply chains and review available and innovative technologies and tools to support a national traceability system,” Dr Broughton said.
“A desktop review will be undertaken of how other countries manage plant produce through supply chains, with the aim of identifying systems suitable for consideration by industry and Governments for adoption in Australia.”
She said the DPIRD would be working closely with Plant Health Australia in engaging with industry to build knowledge around traceability through supply chains to underpin market access.
